"But before this thread descends into Dixie Chick and Canada bashing, is this really how we FReepers want to be perceived - as a crowd of "the most paranoid, xenophobic and reactionary characters the political landscape has to offer" who "attempt to outdo each other in posting the most pungent, juvenile reactions to stories"? (by conservative in nyc) Unfortunately, this is how many conservatives in DC, politicians and others, also view FR. I have been told on more than one occasion that I needed to leave FR in my dust if I ever wanted to be taken seriously. Some people will nod to FR and make nice because they don't want to be eviscerated, but deep down this is what they think and what they say to others in private company.
So, there are three questions here, one why does FR get this reputation, two, is there anything that can be done about it, and three, should that attempt be made.
IMHO FR has the reputation it does because extremists and loons are allowed free reign here.90% of what gets posted is pretty good, some of it excellent, but the squeaky wheel gets the grease. The MSM is only going to center on the whackos.
As far as the second question, sure, Jim and the mods can studiously work to weed out the crazies. But I think all that will do is make FR the same as a hundred other websites and end up eliminating any effectiveness it may have in the future.
So we come to the third question. We all have to come to conclusion at some time that FR is what it is. It has it's whackies, it's racists and it's extremists, but it also has been effective at times when no other website could be so. It's place is to be the unpredictable ingredient that libs can't predict or control...in other words the one that they fear the most.
So let FR flow where it will. It has been successful at times up to this point and there is no reason to fix it if it ain't broken. But be prepared to be called extremist, whacko and racist...it comes with the territory and being effective. (by Bob J)
Bob, it's pretty obvious that you are conflicted about your involvement with FR. On the one hand it has been an effective stepping stone for you to make a name for yourself and rub shoulders with very important people. On the other hand, you've long looked down on Free Republic as an embarrassment and have chafed at your inability to control the product at Free Republic.
You make it sound like Free Republic is a pariah in conservative politics. Maybe it's just you, Bob. My experience is that plenty of conservative politicians and organizations have no problem being associated with Free Republic. We can go back to the House Managers of Clinton's impeachment to current and former Republican presidential candidates who have participated in Free Republic sponsored events.
Free Republic has major involvement in the current Move America Forward caravan and the Gathering of Eagles.
President Bush's spokesman is a longtime Freeper--his association with FR was not even brought up by the media when he was appointed last year. That ought to tell you how FR is perceived these days.
A sitting Supreme Court Justice is a huge fan of FR and is not ashamed to share that with his friends in the conservative community.
And perhaps you've forgotton BKO.
I don't know how you can say that extremists are given free reign (sic) here. The mods do an excellent job of maintaining Jim's standards--standards that have made (and kept) Free Republic the most popular political discussion forum in America.
You infer that racists are tolerated on FR. They are not. if you believe a poster is racist then you have an obligation to report that to the mods so they can be sorted out.
What's funny, but not surprising since you wrote it, is that you complain the extremists and whackos give FR a bad reputation that hurts those associated with it while claiming it is the extremists and whackos who make FR effective.
For all your handwringing, it is not the whackos and extremists, as you call them, who make FR the powerhouse that it is. It is the thousands of patriotic Americans who post here everyday.
I'm not conflicted at all. I'm a reader who enjoys the news of the day and on occasional posting. As for FR being a stepping stone, I don't know what you mean by that as I, unlike others, have never thought of FR as any kind of launching pad for a career in politics. Most of the people I associate with now are not aware of my past FR affiliation. Just a few days ago one of my clients sent me an email "Are you the Bob J on Free Republic"...it was rather funny.
I never said FR was an embarrassment (but you did) I said due to some of the content all FReepers to some extent were going to be smeared with the brush of the most extreme. My point was that comes with the territory so either try to change it or quit worrying about it. I think most here would agree.
FR isn't a pariah but it is not taken seriously due to some of the posts that are allowed here. If you want an example take a look at how RedState is treated. It gets quoted often and I've never seen them accused of the kinds of things FR is painted as. RedState more tightly controls who and what gets posted and the loons, racists and extremists are shown the door rather quickly.
In defending the image of FR you bring up ancient examples. Of course, I know about the House Managers Rally, I organized that. We're talking about the last couple of years. And I never said FR was a pariah (you did), but there are aspects of FR that makes many people (particularly politicians) not want to get too close. They'll make nice with us and use us for their own ends, but in private will keep us at the end of a 10 foot pole...and tell others the same. You can't honestly blame them.
Conservative organizations are a 50/50 deal. Some will because they are small or don't have too much to lose if they get tied to some of the comments here or simply because they are an activist organization and want what FR can offer...people for their own demonstrations or more importantly as a source of donations. We spent years trying to present FR as a professional organization run by sober, intelligent people. All it takes is for one guy to run around CPAC in his pajamas to ruin that work. I had at several important people walk up to me asn ask "Is that guy with you?" So much for controlling the product. That was the last CPAC the FRN attended and set up a booth for FR because we realized there just wasn't anyway the image of FR could be maintained in the way we wanted with no PR and marketing control from the top.
Whatever, just 6-8 years of our lives down the drain.
BTW - You mention Tony Snow, if what you say is true why did he have all his posts removed before the announcement? And you ask why he wasn't questioned about his involvement?I'm pretty certain his posts were pretty good, who was he trying to distance himself from? And this is the part of it you don't want to face. Most conservatives including media and politicians probably think FR is okay, this is their voting base. But when it comes to endorsements, if they have anything to lose, they'll distance themselves. I've seen it happen up close.
As far as your comments about the extremists, whackos, racists and tinfoil crowd, either your fibbing or just blind. Sure, the worst and most blatant stuff gets pulled and the posters that survive know where the line is. There is still a ton of it that is implied or artfully written to give plausible deniability. You may want to hide behind this weak excuse but everyone else knows it when they see it.
"What's funny, but not surprising since you wrote it, is that you complain the extremists and whackos give FR a bad reputation that hurts those associated with it while claiming it is the extremists and whackos who make FR effective."
First, I'm not complaining (I'm way past complaining on FR, now I'm just resigned) and if fact my comment was to suggest people quit complaining. And that was the gist of my comment...FR is what it is and unless Jim makes some significant changes it is going to remain that way. But you are not one that has ever been able to accept constructive criticism. You are black and white, with FR or agin FR, either with Kristinn or agin Kristinn.
But unless you take a sober look at yourself once in a while you cannot correct mistakes, fix problems or grow. If you're blind to what's broken, how can you fix it?